List of Best Places to Visit During Dussehra in India in 2026!

Dushhera being one of the most admired and extensively celebrated festivals welcomes you to enjoy the vibrant culture, amusing aura, splashing colors and an unforgettable experience. Here is the list of best places to visit during Dusshera. Go through this blog to dive deep. 

What is the importance of Dusshera?

This beautiful festival is extensively celebrated across India and it is known by different names such as Dusshera and Vijayadashmi. This festival marks the victory of good over evil and the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. India is surely the country of celebrations and if you wish to plunge into its tradition, culture and customs, you can also read the India travel guide. If you are interested in finding and exploring the best Dussehra destinations in India, you can keep reading this blog. 

Which are the best places to visit during Dusshera in India?

To be honest,  there are best places to visit in India during Dussehra and here is the quick list. 

Kolkata, West Bengal 

The Durgapuja of Kolkata is grand, beautiful and surely unmissable. The intricately crafted idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped, pandals are decorated and street food stalls could be spotted anywhere. There are numerous Puja pandals with different themes and you must plan at least 2 days dedicatedly for Pandal hopping. There are famous puja pandals in Kumartoli and North Kolkata. You can also taste the delicious and yummy street food of Kolkata such as Kathi Rolls and Puchka - Pani Puri. Along with that, you can also get involved in various cultural and traditional diversity via art, culture, dance and music. So, definitely in the list of Dussehra destinations in India, Kolkata secured its position at the top. 

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 

Located on the banks of pure and pious river Ganges, Varanasi invites you to get lost amidst the festivities, lights and hustle-bustle of festivities. You can also witness the oldest Ramlila performances here which would definitely leave you awestruck. You would be surprised to know but hundreds of Sadhus travel to this beautiful city who are known as Ramayanis to watch these performances and recite the holy text. This entire festival is recognized by UNESCO as a Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for its exclusivity and uniqueness. So, if you are all set to finalize the list of places to visit for Dussehra celebrations in India, make sure to choose Varanasi. 

Coorg, Karnataka 

Another different and local Dusshera festival celebrated in Coorg is Madikeri Dasara where you can witness the beautiful Karaga Folk dances from four temples. These beautiful rituals are dedicated to Goddess Draupadi who is the incarnation of Goddess Mariamma and the wife of five Pandavas in Mahabharat. The celebration is at peak on the ninth night of the festival. It generally takes place in Madikeri in Coorg, Karnataka which is almost 3 hours west of Mysore. So, surely it is one of the best places to visit during Dussehra in India. 

Kota Rajasthan, Rural Fair 

There are numerous festivals in India and all of them have different vibes. In the same way, Diwali in Kota Rajasthan is absolutely different as you would get to participate in a huge mela. Artisans join this and participate in various cultural programs and performances. You can also spot beautiful processions from the Royal Palaces, to the fair ground which features decorated elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers. You can also participate in the Kota Adventure festival which generally takes place on the Chambal River. You can participate in various activities such as rafting, wind surfing, water skiing, rock climbing, trekking and much more. So, this is also one of the best cities to celebrate Dusshera festival in India. 

Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu 

This is a rare and unusual 10-day Kulasai Dusshera festival which is at the 300-year old Mutharamman Temple. This beautiful temple is dedicated to the ferocious Goddess Maa Kali. Devotees channelise the spirit and dance throughout the night. To witness something unique, you can count this as one of the best places to visit during Dussehra to feel the vibe. 

Almora, Uttarakhand 

During Dussehra, the beautiful and charming streets of Almora are full of villains of Ramayana. Ravan and his family members are buried signifying the win of good over evil. It is usually located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand which is almost an hour and a half from Ranikhet. The nearest airport is located in Pantnagar which is four hours away. The nearest station is Kathgodam which is almost three hours away. 

Diwali in India is surely an all time exclusive experience, and so apart from the above stated destinations, there are few other places too such as : 

• Kullu Valley - Cultural Carnival
• Delhi - Ramlila shows
• Bastar, Chhattisgarh, Tribal Dusshera
• Ahmedabad, Gujarat 

So, these are a few of the most famous and best places to visit during Dussehra in India. You can go through this blog, explore, and then plan an amazing trip to turn your Dussehra into an unforgettable celebration.